Margaret River cheers on surfing superstar Jack Robinson as Olympics start

Jack Robinson’s family will be glued to the TV during his upcoming stint in Tahiti, but like she has done throughout her career, the star surfer’s mother Mersina Robinson will be flying out to take in her son’s Olympic campaign first-hand.

Mrs Robinson, who is now based in Perth, told the Times it was astonishing and yet not completely unexpected to see her 26-year-old Championship Tour athlete son competing on the world stage.

“He started at such a young age, surfing at 2½ and competing at eight,” she said.

“His talent was recognised even earlier than that. We knew early on that this was going to be his career.”

While the jet-setting Robinson is based on the Gold Coast these days, his family in Perth and tight-knit childhood friends in Margaret River are all cheering the prodigy on.

“We knew he had a prodigious talent and that was his passion and it’s amazing to see him progress to the (World Surf League’s) Championship Tour and now the Olympics,” Mrs Robinson said.

“It’s been his whole life.”

Mrs Robinson travelled extensively through Jack’s early career, with her son often taking down older competitors in competitions across Australia as well as overseas.

Much had already been said about the powerful wave at Tahiti’s Teahupo’o favouring Robinson, who won at the WSL event there last year.

Mrs Robinson was on hand for that victory and was packing her bags to return.

“He got comfortable surfing big waves quite early on,” she said.

“It’s a pinnacle for him, but you’d hope his career will have a long time to run.

“The Olympics, in his lifetime he may only be able to compete once or twice. It’s huge.”

Mrs Robinson trusted in her son’s rigorous and quiet approach to competition to see him through — as well as his family, wife Julia Muniz and baby son Zen nearby to cheer him on.

Those who had tracked Robinson’s meteoric rise said it was no real surprise the Margaret River prodigy was now enjoying such success on the world stage.

Surfer and acclaimed photographer Russell Ord said he had perfected his own craft while documenting Robinson doing the same while surfing as a junior.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s great for him. I always thought he would be one of the best surfers in the world,” Ord said.

“He’s the one per cent of the one per cent in surfing at that level.

“I’m sure this will be one of the best things for him. He looks stoked.”

Surfing WA chief executive Mark Lane fondly remembered the “shaggy haired boy” Robinson surfing at Trigg as a mere six-year-old.

Mr Lane said in the years since he’d watched Robinson overcome all obstacles with a devoted mindset focused on success.

“You see the hype he creates, but I still see that six-year-old boy,” Mr Lane said.

“Success has not affected him.

“When I watch Jack surf, I don’t get nervous.

“He has that aura around him. He’s very collected and present.”

Friends, including members of the Margaret River Boardriders, said everyone was behind Robinson as competition started this weekend.

Former competitive surfer Dave Delroy-Carr told the Times friends were proud of Robinson for his dedication and commitment.

“It is pretty cool to see him grow up from a tiny little grom in Margaret Rivet to become the best in the world,” he said.

“Both Jack and Jacob (Willcox), everyone follows them pretty closely.

“The support for both of these guys is always going to be 100 per cent.”

Ben Veitch said Robinson’s prowess as an “elite talent” couldn’t be underestimated going into the Olympic competition.

“It’s awesome to see him thrive from a very young age in the heavy waves of the South West and Gnaraloo and see that translate into success in Hawaii and Tahiti,” he said.

Ord, Mr Lane and other close friends also reiterated their belief that Robinson could come out with gold at Tahiti due to his big wave skill and past performances.

He will face a tough challenge, though, with WSL rivals John John Florence and Gabriel Medina representing the USA and Brazil.